Method of placing a mobile home on a foundation

ABSTRACT

A method of positioning and lowering a mobile home body onto a prepared foundation and pad in semi-permanent location.

United States Patent Zintei 1451 May 23, 1.972

[ METHOD OF PLACING A MOBILE [56] References Cited H ME N F UNI) 0 0 A 0 ATION UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor: James lnd'anamhs 2,722,040 11/1955 Ludowici .52/742 [73] Assignee: Jenn-Air Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind. 3,007,212 11/1961 Gazin ..52/169 X 3,016,583 1 1962 G t ta] ..52 143 22 Filed: Dec. 15, 1970 e [21] APP] 98,325 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr.

Attorney-Harold R. Woodard [52] 11.8. C1 ..52/742, 52/122, 52/143, [57] ABSTRACT A method of positioning and lowering a mob11e home body [51] Int. Cl. ..E04b 1/343, E04b 1/35 t d f d d d I] [58] Field of Search ..52/742,741,174,143,169, a prepare a an pa m permane" oca 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Pat ented May 23, 1972 3,664,082

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JAL ZK I I Q l I INVENTOR JAMES F ZINTEL METHOD OF PLACING A MOBILE HOME ON A FOUNDATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Methods used in the past to position or place a mobile home 1 0 on a prepared foundation or desired location are numerous. They range from leaving the mobile home on its transport wheels to placing it on blocks to lifting the entire body by means of a crane and swinging it over and lowering it into position on a prepared foundation. Mechanical or hydraulic jacks have been used for lifting the body and lowering it into position on a foundation. Proper footings must be prepared for the jacks and often this is difficult on freshly prepared ground which may be soft and muddy. In the circumstances wherein a crane is used, cable slings are normally required. The main disadvantage however is the cost involved. It is not economical to move in a crane at a high hourly rate just to place one mobile home on a prepared foundation. A crane must be kept busy for economical operation, and this isnt possible under present conditions of locating and placing mobile homes on foundations one at a time.

The method disclosed herein can be substantially reversed when it is desired to remove a mobile home from its foundation for placement on wheels for transporting to another geographical location.

The method hereof, in addition to preparing an area such as a concrete or gravel pad at ground level over which the mobile home is to be located, includes establishing piers extending well into the ground and projecting just slightly above the top of the pad for receiving the body frame. Elongate channels or other wheel guiding means are provided on the ground in a parallel position leading onto and astride the piers. A trench is prepared transversely of the pad in a manner to temporarily receive lifting means such as a scissors jack for lifting the body at a position near its center of gravity for permitting removal of the transport wheels. The body is thereafter lowered onto the piers by action of the jack. Thereafter, the truck hitch is disconnected and that end of the body lowered by conventional means. The jack may then be removed from the ditch at one side of the pad.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a method of location and placing a mobile home on a prepared foundation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of first locating the mobile on position by using parallel channels temporarily retained in position for guiding the wheel of the mobile home.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a method of locating and placing a mobile home on a prepared foundation wherein a trench is prepared transversely across the prepared foundation for containing lifting and lowering means for the home body and also being so disposed to permit removal of the lifting means therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully understood and further objects and advantages thereof will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing a mobile home being positioned according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the prepared foundation and pad;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 33 of FIG. 1 showing one step of the method of the invention;

FIG. 4 is another enlarged view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, but showing a further step of the method of the invention;

FIG. 5 is still another enlarged view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, but showing a still further step of the method of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a detail of a means for securing a mobile home body frame structural member on top of a pier;

FIG. 7 is an underneath view of the mobile home frame showing strengthened structural members for cooperation with a lifting jack; and

FIG. 8 is an underneath view of the mobile home frame similar to FIG. 7 showing an alternate frame strengthening arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG. 1, there is illustrated generally a mobile home 10 being positioned and placed on piers 12 of a prepared foundation.

FIG. 2 illustrates the prepared foundation of piers 12 and concrete or gravel pad 14 in plan view. Guide means, such as steel channels 16, are disposed parallel of the piers along the top of the pad for the purpose of guiding mobile home transport wheel 24 therealong for proper alignment and positioning. A trench 18 is prepared transversely of the general longitudinal extent of the foundation to a depth of about 2 feet. The trench need extend only a little over half way across the foundation width, but as shown in FIG. 2 by the phantom lines, it may extend through to the other side as indicated by the numeral 19.

FIG. 3, which is a cross sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, shows the mobile home 10 in position over the foundation piers 12 and pad 14 having had its wheels 24 guided there by following in parallel channels 16. The channels are retained in temporary position by stakes 20 driven into the ground. The stakes will be pulled later, thereby permitting removal of the channels. Piers 12 are preferably formed of concrete to a depth of about 2 feet below ground level, depending upon geographical location and climate. Piers 12 project only a few inches above the top surface of pad 14. As shown in FIG. 3, trench 18 extends generally across the foundation and to one side thereof to a depth sufficient to receive a lifting and lowering means such as scissors jack 22 which underlies a strengthened portion 23 of body frame 25.

FIG. 4 is a subsequent position in the steps in performing the method of the invention. Scissors jack 22 has been actuated by hydraulic or other mechanical means to lift mobile home body 10 to a height sufficient to permit transport wheels 24 (including axle, springs and associated hardware) to be disconnected and removed laterally from thereunder to one side. Channels 16, which were temporarily retained in position by pins or stakes 20, have been removed.

In FIG. 5, a still further step in the sequence of the method of this invention, the mobile home body 10 is shown in position on its foundation. Frame members, such as I-beams 25, as shown, or other structural shapes, are adapted to rest on top of piers l2 and be secured thereon by stud 26 and plate washer 28 as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Jack 22, now collapsed, has been moved in the ditch to the extending side where it can be moved out clear of the frame 25 or body 10 of the mobile home for immediate reuse at another location.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there are shown arrangements whereby frame members 25 of the mobile home are strengthened to carry the load over jack 22. This may comprise additional structural members 25 and heavy plate 23. Other arrangements may be used, just so that the frame is capable of supporting substantially the entire weight of the mobile home from the area over the jack.

The mobile home is normally transported to general location by truck. At location, the truck is used to back wheel 24 of the mobile home into channels 16 by guiding it over the foundation piers. During the time the mobile home is being raised for removal of transport wheels 24, the hitch normally remains connected to the truck. A minor portion of the total body weight is carried by the truck during the raising and lowering because the transport wheel 24 or jack 22 is usually to the rear of the center of gravity. The truck end of the mobile home is normally disconnected at the time of or after the lifting action by jack 22, but the procedure is not inflexible. This end is lowered usually by jack means. The truck is moved away after being relieved of load and disconnected.

The foundation is provided with utilities ready to be connected. At some time in the operation of placing the mobile home, and preferably while it is in raised position, utilities are connected usually through attachments already provided in the bottom or sides of the mobile home, After frame 25 is secured to piers 12, the open space between the frame and pad 14 may be enclosed.

Ditch 18 may be partially or completely filled after jack 22 is removed. Or in the alternative, a cover may be placed over ditch 18 to protect it from the weather. The ditch will then be readily available for again receiving a jack when the mobile home is to be moved.

A method has been disclosed for positioning a mobile home on a prepared foundation at minimum time and expense. The invention is meant to be limited only to the extent of the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A method of placing a mobile home on a prepared foundation comprising:

preparing a foundation for receiving a mobile home thereon,

providing a trench at least partially across the foundation and to one side thereof for receiving a jack therein, moving a mobile home on wheels into position over the foundation,

raising the mobile home with the jack for removal of the wheels and lowering it onto the foundation,

removing the jack through the trench to one side of the foundation.

2. The claimed subject matter of claim 1 wherein the mobile home is moved into position over the foundation with its wheels tracking longitudinal guide means.

3. The claimed subject matter of claim 2 further defined by the step of pivoting the mobile home on the jack for alignment with the foundation.

4. The claimed subject matter of claim 1 further defined by providing the trench transversely of the entire width of the foundation and to either side thereof.

5. A method of placing a mobile home on a prepared foundation comprising:

preparing a foundation comprising two rows of spaced apart piers projecting above an elongated pad over which the mobile home is to be located,

providing a trench at least partially across the longitudinal extent of the pad for receiving a jack therein with said trench extending laterally to one side of the pad for allowing removal of the jack, after the mobile home is placed on the piers,

locating longitudinal guide means parallel to and outside the rows of piers for guiding wheels of a mobile home, moving a mobile home into position over the foundation with its wheels tracking the longitudinal guide means, activating the jack for at least partially raising the mobile home and removing the wheels from thereunder, lowering the mobile home onto the piers and removing the jack from thereunder through the trench which extends to one side of the foundation.

6. The claimed subject matter of claim 5 wherein the trench is extended entirely across the pad from one side to the other.

7. The claimed subject matter of claim 5 further defined by the step of pivoting the mobile home on the jack for minute alignment with respect to the foundation piers. 

1. A method of placing a mobile home on a prepared foundation comprising: preparing a foundation for receiving a mobile home thereon, providing a trench at least partially across the foundation and to one side thereof for receiving a jack therein, moving a mobile home on wheels into position over the foundation, raising the mobile home with the jack for removal of the wheels and lowering it onto the foundation, removing the jack through the trench to one side of the foundation.
 2. The claimed subject matter of claim 1 wherein the mobile home is moved into position over the foundation with its wheels tracking longitudinal guide means.
 3. The claimed subject matter of claim 2 further defined by the step of pivoting the mobile home on the jack for alignment with the foundation.
 4. The claimed subject matter of claim 1 further defined by providing the trench transversely of the entire width of the foundation and to either side thereof.
 5. A method of placing a mobile home on a prepared foundation comprising: preparing a foundation comprising two rows of spaced apart piers projecting above an elongated pad over which the mobile home is to be located, providing a trench at least partially across the longitudinal extent of the pad for receiving a jack therein with said trench extending laterally to one side of the pad for allowing removal of the jack, after the mobile home is placed on the piers, locating longitudinal guide means parallel to and outside the rows of piers for guiding wheels of a mobile home, moving a mobile home into position over the foundation with its wheels tracking the longitudinal guide means, activating the jack for at least partially raising the mobile home and removing the wheels from thereunder, lowering the mobile home onto the piers and removing the jack from thereunder through the trench which extends to one side of the foundation.
 6. The claimed subject matter of claim 5 wherein the trench is extended entirely across the pad from one side to the other.
 7. The claimed subject matter of claim 5 further defined by the step of pivoting the mobile home on the jack for minute alignment with respect to the foundation piers. 